Pakistan Deports Afghans Approved for Germany Resettlement

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Pakistan has deported 211 Afghan nationals, previously approved for resettlement in Germany, back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to the German Foreign Ministry. These individuals had been temporarily residing in Pakistan following the 2021 withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan.

A spokesperson from the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that officials are in communication with Pakistani authorities to facilitate the return of these 211 people to Pakistan if necessary. In the interim, arrangements have been made for temporary accommodation in Afghanistan with assistance from a service provider.

Germany had promised safe refuge to Afghans who supported German troops during the conflict and to other individuals facing persecution under the Taliban regime. This includes local staff, human rights defenders, journalists, teachers, and lawyers who risk reprisals in Afghanistan. Despite these assurances, more than 2,000 Afghans remain in Pakistan, awaiting their relocation to Germany.

Among those waiting are approximately 350 former employees of German institutions and their family members. Many of them fear persecution due to their prior work in education, journalism, law, or human rights advocacy.

Pakistan has been steadily deporting Afghan refugees over the past year. The reasons cited include ongoing security concerns and a broader effort by Pakistani authorities to manage the growing refugee population. These actions have prompted concerns among human rights groups, who argue that the deportations put vulnerable individuals at risk under the Taliban’s strict rule.

Germany’s current government has also paused some resettlement initiatives. Since taking office earlier this year, officials have signaled intentions to adopt stricter migration policies. Despite this, German authorities continue to monitor the situation and maintain contact with deported Afghans through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The agency provides ongoing support and assistance to ensure their basic needs are met.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt recently addressed questions regarding the status of those deported from Pakistan. He emphasized that the government remains in touch with these individuals and is actively exploring measures to support them, despite the temporary suspension of resettlement programs.

The deportations highlight the challenges faced by Afghan refugees navigating international resettlement pathways amid geopolitical and domestic policy shifts. Germany had previously committed to helping Afghans who collaborated with Western forces and those facing persecution, but new policies and logistical obstacles have complicated the process.

For the deportees, the immediate concern remains personal safety and access to essential services in Taliban-controlled areas. The German Foreign Ministry continues to advocate for their protection and is coordinating with Pakistani authorities to explore potential solutions, including the possibility of returning some individuals to Pakistan temporarily.

This development underscores ongoing tensions in regional refugee management and the humanitarian challenges arising from international migration policies. The situation remains closely monitored by German officials, international agencies, and human rights organizations.